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MAGA isn't working: The number of Americans proud of their country is declining rapidly [1]
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Date: 2025-06-30
Is MAGA making Americans proud of their country?
Trump markets Trumpism as the road to Making America Great Again. Is he right? Oh, please! The evidence is in. And the answer is no. America had four years of MAGA in Trump’s first term. And is five months into a second toxic exposure. It is challenging to find a single metric that points to improvement, let alone greatness. The only things Bozo is good at are lying, giving the rich more money, and getting GOP politicians to kiss ass.
If America were trending toward ‘great,’ Americans would be increasingly proud of their country. That is not the case. Not even close. The opposite is true.
The numbers
Gallup has been polling Americans about their pride in their country since 2001. Respondents had several choices — extremely proud, very proud, moderately proud, only a little proud, or not at all proud. Let’s take a look at how ‘extremely proud’ and ‘very proud’ are trending overall.
In 2001, 87% of Americans were extremely or very proud of America. That already high number increased after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 — peaking at 91% in 2002 and staying elevated through Bush Jr.’s first term. However, during W’s second term, the numbers declined to 82%.
Under Barack Obama, the number remained steady. Starting at 82% in 2009 and ending at 81% in 2016. Then came Trump and MAGA I. His first year (2017) saw a decline to 75%. By 2020, the number had fallen to 63%. Under Biden, the number immediately rebounded to 69% (2021) and stayed steady. At the end of his term (2024) it was 67%.
Then came Trump and MAGA II. Despite the chest-thumping promises of greatness, pride in America has declined to 58%.
The numbers by President
Let’s summarize. Under Bush and Trump, Americans’ pride in their country declined a total of 26% (21% under Trump alone). Under Obama and Biden, the number increased 3%. MAGA is the most dishonest marketing strategy since ... I don’t know. Others will have to fill in that blank. (I can’t think of anything that comes close.)
Conservatives vs. Liberals
The breakdown by political philosophy is as expected. Conservatives are of the “My country, right or wrong” school of mindless jingoism. Liberals are more demanding. They don’t respond positively to specious claims of greatness. They want the country actually to be great — for all Americans.
Bearing that in mind, it is no surprise that Republican pride in the country is always higher than Democratic. And, while Republicans think Trump is God’s gift, Democrats think differently. In 2001, the two parties were close in national pride. By 2025, the gap had yawned — with Republicans at 92% and Democrats at 36%.
Independents: the canary in the coal mine
As always, it is the unaffiliated who provide the best barometer. Their feelings are clear. At 53% proud today, Independents are closer to Democrats than they are to Republicans/MAGA.
Under Obama and Biden, the Independents’ pride in America declined by 7%. Under Bush and Trump, pride level decreased by 24% — 16% under Trump in total and 7% in 2025 alone.
When you are Left, you are right.
Next time your relative, friend, or co-worker crows that Trump is making America great again, ask them why it is then that the average American is becoming less proud of their country. And when they blame Obama or Biden, tell them to stop making things up — the numbers say otherwise.
It won’t make any difference to them. They’re in a cult. But you will have the satisfaction of knowing the facts are on your side. As are the people who swing elections.
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